saving private gladi

(sometime in october) 

i do not know what time it is. one of the rarest moments in my daily life. the wall clock stopped ticking. i am too lazy to check my mobile phone’s time. and even more sluggish to turn the tv on to check the current news. i wanted to feel the luxury of being lost in space, even for this one stolen evening.

if only i could tear all these out, maybe i’m a better person. 

For the first time since this orange sofa set came in our house, it’s only now that i finally found a comfortable position in its corner. Earlier, i was holding a blue book i purchased from a booksale months ago, longing for a day to come that i can finally have the appetite to reach out for it and make a good jumpstart in my life. Hours ago, there was the noisy music from the neighbor’s playlist. But now, there’s nothing. No sound at all. Only the deep sound of the night and the droplets of water from the bathroom’s silly faucet.

and i feel like crying. Just cry. Maybe an attempt to stir away the faked headache.

and i hope i never heard lies. I hope i never met some people so i wont always end up bombarding my brain to forget. And i hope erasing wont take so much pride, pain and headache. i hope some people never pushed me to my very limit, so i can still hope to have them back. I hope i never have to leave whenever i get myself damn hurt. 

But maybe, that’s the only way i know. and God knows what my heart desires, to atleast save a piece of myself. And to start from there. Goodluck to me. 

 

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No one. No one will remember.

One noon after work, i decided to drop by to my then office. It was still the very same office; my things are still neatly sitting there as i left it. (i remember kidding mija not to let anyone touch my stuff else...) 

I sat there. And once more, made connections with the comfort brought by the blue swivel chair that once been claimed as mine. i closed my eyes and laid my back to its just-right firmness.  My palms went over the curves of it as my fingertips slide into the sides of my wooden table’s glass imperfection. I flip over to the pages of my counselees’ records. One thing is for sure, i broke my promise. I can no longer be there for them. The idea breaks me. 

Two and half years, i said to myself. Who can forget the first day i sat on that chair? Who can forget the first time i made a memo letter for that office? Who can forget the very first student i encountered, and the very first one who came back and to say thank you? and who can forget the very first time my boss gave me his popular hand gesture?

No one. No one will remember. 

Two and half years. It did not take me a lifetime. How come every inch of that room reminds me so much of myself? How come i feel a part of me has been left in every corner, in every space, in every paper and in everything existing inside that room? 

I was filled with emotions, if only i could sat in one corner and sleep there till my dreams take me to neverland, so i can feel that at least for a night, the whole thing had been mine.

But as darkness eats the dusk, i know i had to leave. and i just be thankful. 


(well, that afternoon was my way of saying a sweet goodbye. sorry if i invaded the office without any permission.  promise, that will be the last time. thank you.)
 

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Yes! Now i know there's an Aeta in heaven.

 You, Intin, with the yellow set of teeth and comical hair that always looked teased. And, eyes that reflects contentment amidst nothing so glamorous. You, who i have always thought of as a petite version of Quasimodo with over-sized polo and farmer-folded pants. They never fail to amaze me, really.  It was a big mistake of mine not to talk to you about the culture that you grew up with. How your parents looked like. How you met the love of your life. Inay said you came from a tribe from Negros, and as a kid then, i was scared, and would just content myself from seeing you a far getting fire woods and “pongapong” for the pigs, or simply helping  in the farm stuff. But now, I am filled with happiness that, finally, you will feel the tight embrace of the ONE who really loves you. Thank you for giving three beautiful people in our family, Vic, Ate Liza and Jimmy. We are indebted to you because of this.

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Bel Piato Cafè and Bistro

 Batanguenos were all surely excited when this cafe, Bel Piatto Cafè and Bistro opened opposite to Batangas SM City - and yes, i was one of those. This cozy cafe offers a variety of Asian, European and American inspired appetizers, entrees and desserts. There's also an assortment of hot and cold coffee, frappuccino, and even wine! 

Been here for a couple of times already, with good friends, with office mates, with family. But i always forget to take pictures of the place. Maybe i was so busy admiring their food.

 For drinks: try their iced lattè ,banana split mocha frappuccino and strawberry and cream.

 

 

For salad, mixed vegetable salad and what i had last 2011V-day, warldorf salad.

For pasta: i highly recommend creamy baked macaroni and pomodoro pasta

or if you like to eat something with rice: have a taste of pepper crusted fish fillet and Italian Tempura

for bread and cheese lovers, fill your mouth with cheesy tuna sandwich

 

 

 and for the sweettooth owners,  don't you ever leave without pampering your salivating mouth with their chocolate with caramel filling and of course, cheesecake!

Bel Piatto Cafe and Bistro

P. West, 4200 Batangas, Philippines

Phone No. 437222236

Check their FB account BEL PIATTO FB

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coke: i need you back. badly.

i thought i could forget.
for every single day that passed, i constantly tell myself that you are no good to me. as i have promised to myself that i would remain faithful to my words. i could bear to thirst myself from the sweet adrenaline that only you can give. it's excruciating. but my mind can endure the pain. as always.

but i was wrong.
for my stomach needs you.  for it's only you that can calm down the urging. the chaos inside.

and i am left here, staring at your coldness.
gulping every inch of my precious pride. dwelling with my own self. one part says i should have not given up. another part says, i can't live without you. which i believe isn't true. one part says, how about all those that you have been fighting for? another part says, people will laugh at your inconsistency but who cares? well, i do not know but what i know is one part of my body needs you. and it's not going to function normal without you. i do not know if i have to trust myself or if my subconscious is just making stupid excuses just to feel you again in my body.

but yes, i stupidly need you. i'm pleading you back. i'm sorry i let you go.

 (just some crazy idea, i promised myself not to consume any carbonated drinks, including my most loved, COKE but i realized that coke has been my "kontra-diarrhea" for the longest time. Where i got the idea, i guess from a Japanese speaker who said in one of the seminars i attended that if your stomach's in trouble, just grab a can of coca cola! )


 

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Pinoy Laughter Yoga

really, i can't find the perfect words to express the kind of bliss brought by this workshop. 

so, i'll go for a solemn ha ha ha ha ha ha. 

          I''m a yoga enthusiast. i remember attending yoga class way back in college. and youtubeing yoga videos so i can do it at home. Weeks before attending this workshop, i was actually into web searching for a yoga class in Lipa, but sadly, found no result.  

         A huge thanks to Mr. Paolo Martin Trinidad, founder of the Pinoy Laughter Yoga for bringing us a piece of India, i guess, a piece of heaven.  if only i have what it takes to be a certified yoga trainer, i would definitely enroll myself. but some things aren't just for me. if only i could brag to the whole world about how marvelous this Pinoy Laughter Yoga is, so everyone will push their support, i definitely would.  But what i can definitely do is to pray to the Almighty God (or to Bathala, as how he said is the name of God for Pinoys) shower him with good health and burning passion so he may continue to be a blessing to millions and to always be a  an effective instrument of uniting the hearts and souls of PINOYS through one healthy laugh.

for more PINOY LAUGHTER YOGA updates, click here.

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BIRTHDAY PROJECT: postponed due to blustery weather.

 It was the 19^th day of the year 1986. It was dawn. It was a Sunday. For sure, it was cold and breezy. That was all I know about that day. That E-O day.

That was 25 years ago.

And that thought always makes me happy.

Actually, i was into a SILVER BIRTHDAY PROJECT. Everything’s carefully noted. Everything’s well-planned. But at the mid of my being excited, i needed to stop and discontinue the whole thing. Although i was endowed of making other people believe (whenever i want to), it is myself that i can never ever fool. There are things in life that can’t be changed by a crazy birthday project. There are things in life i am neither ready to embrace nor let go.

so here's my birthday status yesterday:

mind status: hopeful

heart status: weary

physical status: exhausted

 or maybe the past 19 days had just been so tiring and pressuring for me. and i know i needed to pause for a while to make something out of my silver year. Some time for myself, maybe.  Days before my birthday, my sister kept on bugging me about what i wanted to do. i so much wanted to tell her to invite people and we’ll party all night.  But i can’t find those words inside my heart.  To be honest, what’s circling in my aching head was to wear some running shoes and dash in wherever lane i can catch, or be somewhere near the sand, where i can feel the sun and taste the seawater and dive over and over and stay under without breathing until i can’t stand anymore. or just simply stand in the rain. Just to make an excuse for my tears to fall. Then i can go back at dinnertime, all nimble and refined, and sip some white wine with friends. 

but my job can't afford that. else i'll feel guilty "imploring for inner peace" while one of my office mates go through the pain of boredom and extra "gastos"  just to fill in for my being absent at work.  that's a no-no.

but today. a day after my birthday and now that i am 25 years and one day old. i want to make sure that every inch of the next 365 days will be in superb mode. well, i don't know how. i just know. maybe because, for the first time in 2011, it is just today that i am not late. maybe because i am loving the french vanilla coffee and fool's garden's lemon tree. and it has been the only music on my background for the whole day. or maybe because fool's garden is now following me on twitter! haha. i just know i'll be happy. 

Oh, thank you to ALL who wished me a happy birthday. Phone calls (sorry for those calls i was not able to answer), text messages, e-mails, fb wall greetings and messages, gifts, and greeting cards are all sweetly appreciated.

 

P.S: i have always believed that birthday is the only time where fairytale exists. it came, just as expected. and you didn't.  i guess, we can never really see each other. cause, far or near, I still CAN’T SEE YOU.

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let me start wishing upon a shooting star.

fireworks over. i heart fireworks. they never fail to mesmerize me. and make me want to kiss. =) the usual scent of the left-over foods give a warm feeling. the gifts, they are all   worth the wait. and the smiles from my nieces and nephews lips, they are lovely in every inch. 

 

 i stared at the first spot of sun on the grass near my feet. and realized that, hey, 19 more days and its gonna be my birthday! and not to give you anymore headache thinking what  my heart is beating for, here are 25 things this petite girl wants to see wrapped in fancy papers and ribboned with glittery silk. =)

1. sitti’s album
2. Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact (i use the beige tone), and toner and moisturizer!
3. Perfume: lacoste yellow or Benetton cold or 3 bottles of Bench Grass Cucumber cedarwood!
4. oil paint
5. 3 pcs canvas
6. a study table
7. scented candles
8. Coelho’s The Fifth Mountain
9. burt’s bees lip balm (or if you can’t find any, body shop’s lip butter will do)
10. a portable sewing machine
11. yoga mat
12. a navy blue or gold belt ( i like the glossy one)
13. calculator
14. clear contact lenses (my vision is 200/200)
15. Coelho’s The Pilgrimage
16. a slice of cheesecake
17. tweezers, earwax cleaner, a cute nail cutter and 3 boxes of blade =)
18. a set of FOOT SPA. (you know i sOoo much LOVE my FEET!)
19. i’ll let you decide here.
20. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ Chronicle of a Death Foretold
21. Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of Geisha
22. color pencils and a sketch notebook
23. Coelho’s The Devil and Miss Prym
24. a classy wall clock.
25.  P 19,000.00 (or any cash will do!)

 but you know what? it’s okay if you can’t give me any of these items, really. A fervent prayer for my peace of mind and my dear ones’ happiness is more than any material gift would cost! This is just a twist to make a fun birthday project. What my heart truly desires is something that cannot be spoken by the human mouth, it's a project that i already entrusted to HIS will. =)  

P.S. tell me. will i wait for another 100 and who-knows-how-many-more-days and minutes, just like what was written on the paper? or should i let the coming of the first full moon put an end to my weary heart? 

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justice will die over and over again.

photo courtesy of ph.yfittopostblog.com



i have told myself never to get too much involved to anything that the media presents. because its either they are lying or i am believing. But finally reading the news about the acquittal of the convicted slayers of the 3 Viscondes made me sleepless. Yes, until 2am and not a bat from my long lashes.

Nineteen years. This is a case I almost grew up with. You know, being talked about in the news, movies and everything. The whole thing isn’t vivid to me but the picture of a lovely lady who was grisly slaughtered, the Webbs’ beautiful faces, the famous Jessica Alfaro glasses. They all seem to be a part of my past, of most of our past.

Well, i do not care if they are 8000 miles away or if Alfaro (where is she, anyway?) is lying. Who are we to know? Truth can always be tampered. Because there are people who has this gift of making themselves believe that what they are saying is true. Maybe, Mr. Vizconde is right; it’s time to do away with the blindfolded lady. Everything seems to be a form of mockery, like the loss of the sample semen which God knows whose fault!

But you know to who i am so devastated with? This Gerardo Biong, who destroyed the evidence in the Vizconde case. There was once this big chance of getting in touch with justice but he, a man supposed to save the truth, took everything away. He just gave people another shot of disgust to the profession. For me, he should remain in jail until the culprit is caught. But then he was freed after serving 15 years in jail.

Nineteen years. And the long search for justice of a fragile man for his murdered family just ended up with an elusive dream of finding whoever the true slayers of the despicable crime are.

This broke my heart. And i can only pray for Lauro Vizconde's deep sorrow to be tightly embraced by God’s grace. I think its not so far for this same thing to happen to the maguindanao massacre. (God borbids)



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island away at Island Verde=)

         Most of us would curse after some minutes or hours of having "no power". We become irritable. We stop and blame meralco for their service because without electricity, we cannot do our daily chores. Because, whether we admit it or not, our life is now so dependent to electricity. Without electricy, we mostly are immobile. But you know what, i have this fond feeling whenever there's no "power" during night time, specially in our "bukid".  i do not know. but there is something in darkness that i am so inlove with. You know, just listening to nature. Just listening to bugs and the sound created by the wind and the tree leaves. The stories. Or just the silence. The "lampara". For me, its a way of escape. Yet, i do not exempt my self from those whose life is dependent to the prescence of electricity.

         But can you imagine life without electricity. Not just the idea that the light switch will  temporary be unavailable for giving instant light and convenience. i mean, a whole life without electricity. No hair dryer to blow dry our hair. No refrigerator to give us iced-cold water. And yes, meat is never a luxury to every meal. No cellphones. No air-condition. No tv. No laptops. Oh gosh. Imagine that. Nothing but true nature. Will you survive?

         i had a bit taste of it for three days. well, ate madel and ate grace had been bombarding me to go with them to "isla verde" eversince they discovered this no-electricity island. Ate madel kept on convincing me and giving me promise of solitude. And yes, you read it right. Sa kabila ng pagpupunyagi natin sa maka-bagong teknolohiya , nasaksihan ko ang isang isla sa katagalugan na tila napag-iiwanan ng ipinagmamalaki nating pag-usad. An island where the only source of light is sunlight, and candle or gasera at night. There are very few houses who were able to afford to buy generators as a source of electricty, including the church and house of the "kura parokyo" in Barangay Paco. Not every house has a pumping faucet. Barrio people need to fetch water from a common place where there is an existing one. Most viands are canned goods, vegetables and fish, most of the days, there's none. But you know, what's lovely with the place? People are so friendly. You will never feel that you don't belong to the group. Maybe, that is a common barrio culture. Well, much said. Now, here's a three-day trip to isla verde:

day 1 is friday. Dental and Medical

           i, with ate melai, badly needed to catch the 6AM boatride to the island, so from Batagas Plaza we rode a 100-peso tricycle ride to Leah Beach. Pero sabi ni Manong Tricycle driver, nakamura pa daw kami because the usual transaction daw is P120.00. But if you're not so much in a hurry namna, you can have a cheaper alternative, ride the trip via Tabangao for just P 9.00. and hooray, you'll find your feet ready to rumble with the sandgrains of Tabangao beaches.

             St. Paul's boat which was filled with more or less 30 heads, mostly medical people (yes, doctors and dentist) and volunteers  was resting quite far from the shore so for passengers to jump into it, there's a need to pay for P5.00 fare with the little boat which picture is on the left. When we arrived at the shore, there were kids cladded in their blue and white school uniform accompanied by their teachers and with sister elena who greeted us in chorus with "Good morning, Visitors, Welcome to Isla Verde!" 

           Right after the mass, we ate dinugan and bread. nice! (trivia: i do not eat dinuguan with rice, only with puto or bread. hehe) and then we proceed to the dental and medical mission where doctors and dentist rendered their services to our kababayan in isla for free. The dentist association also taught children how to brush their teeth and yes, gave each one free toothbrush and toothpaste!

           well, very meaningful first day, right? but didn't end just like that. because, it was also Ate Melai's birthday! so there's gin (haha) and calamansi. i had one shot then just joined the gang with my sprite and calamansi and chicaharon. and songs and yes, stories. scene one was ate madel's bangelya drama, she just proved her consistency of being a certified TALKER! (i hope i can upload her video here. hah!) and scene two which happend around by 2am when everybody's asleep, ate melai woke me up grasping for air which eventually had awoken everybody. Reason: she can't breath due to complete darkness, patay na kasi ang generator. now, miss achluophobia, are you afraid of the dark? hehe.

day 2 is my favorite. i call this sWEaT life.

first activity was the boat trip to Ozone Dive Resort.

         Aw. you will surely fall inlove with the SO clear water, it's so blue! timecheck: around 11AM -2PM. haha. nothing really changed. i'm still so hooked with my long-standing love affair with the seawater and the sun! and i still love torturing my skin with the sun rays! i even jumped right into the water without sunblock (i was super excited, i forgot!) without even thinking twice.

         We left the resort with me having a wide-wide smile in my heart. and yes, also because of the humor brought by Ka Sano (epic talaga!). Even the mere thought of him makes me laugh. and then , after late lunch, we played basketball. (this is the sweaty part) Team one: ate melai, ate madel and ate grace. Team two: Nongnong and me. First round, they won. but we bagged the second round. so patas lang. though, madaya sina ate. since they cannot do anything with Nongnong, ako lang ang binabantayan nila. so i was left with bruises in my arms and legs. Buti na lang, i'm good and quick when it comes to passing the ball. haha! hay, i can no longer remember the last time i sweat like that one. sobra. sobra. i was known kasi for someone who doesn't sweat so much. kahit ang iba ay tuluan na sa pawis, i'm still poised with very little perspiration. but now. but now. oh, gosh. paarng tubig na tumutulo sa ulo ko. haha.

        and then, after the basketball laughing tournament, we freshened up and readied ourselves for a 15-minute walk daw to Brgy. Subukin. The barangay was scheduled for a monthly mass. But oh, gosh! it wasn't a 15-minute walk away. it was a 15(+)-minute run away. but then, i had to enjoy the trip so not to be left behind in the darkness (since it was already getting dark then) i jogged the whole time until we reached our destination, a small chapel with patroners waiting for their kura's (kura is a tagalog word for priest) arrival. Nongnong talked about the footprints in the sand for his homily. i love that story. it reminded me of all my worries and how i get passed through all of those. How people can have the audacity to complain and question where God is. How people survive a great pale of pain. how people forget who was really there during those times of almost giving up. Well, i am proud of myself because there was never a time that i ever question where God is amidst everything. because i know He is always everywhere, watching over me.

          About the barrio people, they were all so kind, they even prepared a dinner for us. Wow. Fresh bulanglang, fish, chicken tagalog tinola and home-made buccaio. After dinner was another long walk back to our place which made us hungry again. buti na lang Tita Remy cooked bulanglang and chicharon for us. Then, they played cards with some crazy punishments. i hate punishments, so i skipped and just played with some cellphone games.

       Day three is the last day.

         we attended two masses. the one in Barangay Paco and the other one was in a boat away barangay, San Agus Silangan. Oh. OH. you think last day didnt give us another new adventure? When we dismounted from the boat, i saw the cement stair right away. researchers said that climbing the stairs will make us fit but i guess its going to be overly tiring when you need to climb a 333(+,maybe) steps everyday. hah!

and so, our feet ended up covered with mud.

it was midday when we sailed back to Batangas. yes with our muddy feet and sweaty shirts. and there's no other way to celebrate a good trip than a yellowcab treat. we filled our tummy with pizzas ( our two most favorite: new york's finest and dear darla) and chicken wings.

and with my top most favorite in yc.

raspberry sola and twice-baked potato halves. YUMYUM.

and my new discovery (courtesy of Nongnong) 

Charlie Chan pasta. i like the mushroom, and yes, there's nuts!

i think this place would be a wonderful place for those people who would like to go for a retreat. Because here, you will have most chances of appreciating life and seeing beauty in darkness.



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togs grill and their cheesecake

Finally. After years of rummaging around just to  give my tongue the taste of the very first cheesecake i fell inlove with.  i’ve found you. it was more than a decade. Gosh. Well, maybe nothing will ever beat the first time but this one, this one reminds me so much of the first time. the texture. the taste. the crust. the smell. oh, yes, the aroma, i’ve longed to crave for that aroma. and yes, it was served right on the most perfect timing, neither  too frozen, nor into the melting stage already, just right!

yes. just for P90.00 per slice mga friends! or you can buy me a whole for P650.00 lang!

and here are other items you can find in their menu:

  

baby back ribs with corn cob and lettuce for P200.00

asparagus soup. we'll its not creamy at all. i hope they can improve this one.

i do not exactly remember but i think this one is what they call butterfly shrimp. 

grilled squid and eggplant with and tomatoes and mango for P180.00

i like this one, sweet chili wings for P185.00

i just grabbed this photo from their fb account. hihi.

we also ordered sinigang na hipon for P185.00 but i forgot to take a photo. and yes, this place is wireless hotspot and they have a band, i think, every friday night. so, if you guys just want to chill out or avail of a free wifi, or just for gastronomy, here's one place to go in Batangas.

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BIGG's Diner with the after FIVE group.

hey hey hey, i (with ms. joy, tita babes, kuya elwyn and jed) found another must-try resto here in Lipa City.

here's a brief background: From a small take-out window which gave a taste of American fare known to Nagueños as Mang Donald's in 1983 (correct, sounds like Mcdonalds that's why they had the need to stop operation due to some legal matters),  to Nald’s in 1984 which paved way to home cococted recipes such as goto and dinuguan, to Carl’s Diner in 1990 which brought back the American tasteand then, eventually the resto became which is now known to us as BIGG's Diner in 1994. Actually, the Lipa branch is Bigg’s 15th store. I like their ad saying We're good food, not fast food.

and here's what we had:

baby back ribs served with java rice (ofcourse i had plain rice) and buttered vegetables for P189.00

extreme platter (it has fries, chicken, cheese sticks and carrot strips) for P130.00

Southwestern Salad for P96.00

and their large iced tea (which is ms.joy's favorite) for P45.00

for dessert, we had:

Kookie Monster Cake for P39.00 (you know i always have the ♥ for chocolate cakes with caramel filling)

while m' babes had Carrot Cake for P49.00

 i'm not a lover of colorful-modern style but i really do appreciate their interior design. With all the interesting stuff posted and hanged, i think there is really beauty in chaos. The dining area in the entrance reminds me of  typical American restaurants in the ‘50s, then the one in the middle has an interior of a train, they even have these vintage luggage, i really like to experience sitting in there but since all seats were already taken, we occupied the ala-sporty area where you would see faces of Muhammad Ali, David Remnick, and other power athlete, and yes, if you're a couch potato who loves watching baseball or basketball games, let me tell you, you wont miss home, because they have a TV. YEEE! We left the resto as FIVE SATISFIED CUSTOMERS!

P.S. thanks to M' Babes and Ms. Joy for the stomach-ful treat! here's more BIGG's Diner's  photos.

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more of Johanna's Grille.

october 15.
first, today is my first day @ the UBLIPA Satellite Office.
second, is ate madel's birthday.
third, is johanna's grille. period.

pictures here!

have i told you that i am a pasta lover? so i tried their carbonara.  

the birthday girl ate madel, tita zeny and tin had a taste of Johanna's Grille's tear-jerkingly good bbr with garlic rice. much has been heard about their babyback ribs. it's getting so famous that its now being the favorite of the town and yes, cyberpeople, too.

ate grace had hungarian sausage and fries. see the mustard? I love dipping my french fries in mayo and mustard!

coffee for aiza 

 JD's homemade cheesecake which always gets a =( from me.

and, this one, i super like, tuna salad.  

haha. were all in our SMILES!

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